Tokyo Destroyer, Chapter 17: Moving Mountains

Okay, people. Those of you that have been loyally reading this massive brain fart of mine, to you I say, I give my profoundest and most humble thanks. I know it's been a long time since I last posted, but here it is: The final chapter of "Tokyo Destroyer." I hope you enjoy it.

(Also, you may notice a certain crossover character I didn't include in the synopsis. See if you can spot him. C'mon. I dare ya.)

If you wish to see more of the adventures of Ben and Lindsay, however, that is a story that is by no means over. Just check out fictionpress and look for nightbreaker57. That's me.

As always, please read and review! It's really very encouraging, and I thank you for it.

Needless to say, I derive no remuneration from any of these franchises.

…

Tokyo Destroyer, Chapter 17: Moving Mountains

…..

The legions of humans around Kimihito's fortress-house were diminishing as many were shunted through the gates into the staging areas from which they would be transported safely to the New World. This had the double effect of confusing the sensors of any of Chaos's troops, and perhaps even of Chaos and Rize themselves. At least, that was the hope.

Then, with a horrific thunder, the barrier around the fortress cracked open, and the Dama Kan's monstrous hordes poured through.

….

"Rachnera...what is this?" But the spider woman didn't answer her; Miia knew what it was, anyway.

The people up above, humans, liminals, and others, were preparing for a last stand. As far as anyone knew, they were the last holdout on the planet. The people up there, waiting to be shunted to another world, were, as far as anyone knew, the last of humanity.

And, one thing that they had all agreed upon, albeit, unspokenly, was that there were certain people in their group, Kimihito's group, who were simply more important than others. Miia herself had tried to see to it, in her own way, that her Darling would survive, at least in his offspring. Now, Rachnera was pulling the same stunt—albeit in her own way—on Miia.

But those people! Still, she knew better than to say anything or even to struggle. Perhaps Rachnee had orders from Kimihito, perhaps not. Either way, it was happening. She was being shunted, ahead of others, onto one of Lord Ainz's holdings on his world. Still, it felt like a physical blow, that her being given preference, even against her will, would mean the death of some of the very humans she'd just been reassuring. "Don't worry about them," said Rachnee, as if reading her thoughts, "Everything that can be done is being done."

"But...but what about Darling?" Kimihito, she knew, would never agree to be shunted ahead of the others, and, with his Excalibur armor, he'd put up a much greater fight. Miia had no doubt but that Rachnee's webbing wouldn't hold him.

"Again, don't worry about it. About him. Miia, you're exhausted, anyway. When was the last time you slept? Or ate?" Miia hesitated; she couldn't really remember… "Thaaaat's what I thought. So lie back and enjoy the ride. We're using a special shunt gate, away from the main ones. Our own private gate. Now shuddup and let us save you."

"But what about y—*" But just then, Rachnera's webbing settled lightly over her mouth, preventing her from saying the obvious: What about you? What about the rest of you?

"Upstairs," as it had come to be called. Chaos's troops roared exultantly as they ran across the ground towards the terrified humans, who now virtually stampeded towards the gates. Some were knocked down and crushed beneath the feet of the uncaring mob. Suu, perched on the upper ramparts of the castle Kimihito's house had become, looked around worriedly. Most of their best fighters, Saitama, Kaneki, Garou and others, had been assigned to managing the hordes of humans streaming through the gates. That left them with Ms. Smith and her MON team, Zombina having been recalled. "Finally!" said the zombie girl, "now THIS is what I call ACTION!" She readied her guns, as did Monako, with Doppel shifting into the strongest, least vulnerable form she knew—her natural octopoid one. Father Cthulhu, give me strength. Help us make this nightmare their nightmare.

But just then, there was a commotion at the very back of the line: multiple explosions, and inhuman bodies flung through the air. The lead troops took time to look back…

Geno's team had arrived. Now the battle was on two fronts: the defenders before them, and the reinforcements behind.

….

Staging area 1-B: Kimihito, Kaneki, and Touka were programming the teleport gate that would see the refugees into the New World. "It has to be just right," fretted Kimihito, "otherwise it'll 'port them to some other place in the New World, and from what Lord Ainz is telling me, most places over there aren't exactly conducive to people's health and well-being."

"It'll be right. Quit worrying," snapped Touka. She was tiring and needing to eat, but she figured she'd just have to wait until all was settled.

But why did she have this feeling in the depths of her chest when she saw Kaneki? Well, she told herself, he'd offered himself as food to her on more than one occasion. That must be it. Just hunger. Just...survival. But I have to make sure he survives.

Even if I don't.

Now why did I think that?

"There," said Kaneki, as the portal hummed to life. "A gateway. Just as promised."

"Okay," said Kimihito. "Now to make sure it goes to the right place. Lord Ainz said it should deliver us to E-Rantel, but we have to be sure. I'm going through." He saw their looks. "Look, in my armor, I'm nearly indestructible. I'm the best choice for a look-see." He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry! I'll just zip over there and be right back. You'll see."

After he'd left, and as they were standing there, watching the portal, they both heard a very familiar and very unwelcome voice come from behind them: "Well. I was beginning to think he'd never leave," said Rize Kamishiro.

…

Earth, the Kimihito fortress: Garou, Sonic, DoS, Genos, Silver Fang, and the others found themselves in a rather discouraging predicament.

Their arrival had thrown Chaos' troops into a disarray, but it hadn't lasted very long. There were still a number of humans frantically crowding into the portals.

Garou positioned himself in front of the oncoming horde. "What," hissed Sonic, "do you think you're doing?"

"What I set out to do. These humans must be protected, safeguarded. Even if most of them are not worthy, still, some are. It's for them I fight." He looked at the ninja. "Go on. Get into the portal. They'll need help there, too.

"But this is how I choose to be remembered."

"There won't be anybody around to remember you, fool!"

Shrug. "Be that as it may. If I've got to go out, this is as good a way as any, and better than most."

"As will we." They turned to see a tall, lanky man (?) in a tan pin-striped suit with what appeared to be a metallic-looking tail sprouting from his back. Although the man's expression was one of grim delight, the tail twitched back and forth, somewhat nervously, Garou thought.

Alongside him were several young women dressed as maids. One look at them, however, told Garou they were no strangers to violence. "Let 'em come," said the redhead, almost eagerly. "We'll beat the piss out of 'em."

"Some man-flesh would be most soothing at this point," said another, whose face didn't look quite real.

"Never mind," said Kuroko Smith, coming up with the MON team, "If this is our last stand, let's make it a doozy." She readied her MP5, as Monako hefted her modified .50 BMG. Zombina, as usual, seemed to have guns sprouting from every pore.

But Garou noticed something: in addition to the firepower, the zombie girl also was packing some serious bladeware. He counted one katana, and one broadsword swung over her back, in addition to several smaller but no less deadly knives of battle configuration on her hips, with two clipped to her legs. Clearly, she was anticipating running out of ammo, and a melee fight anyway.

A fight they couldn't possibly win.

"Who—?"

"Our Lord and Master has ordered us to assist you in this matter," said the pinstriped man, "and thus it is our duty and our joy to do so." He seemed to pause a moment, and his expression turned a bit worried. "Though resurrection magic, in this world, is doubtful. Still, it is what he desired. And so here we are."

"You all are crazy!" shouted Sonic. "You can't possibly fight off all those monsters! You'll die here!

Garou turned to him. "If life matters so much to you, the portal's that way." He pointed. "Go." Turned back to the oncoming hordes. Are you there, Sarah? he asked mentally.

The voice in his mind replied, Right here, Mr. Garou. I told you I was with you always.

Well, better make room over there. Looks like I'm comin' to ya.

It's a great world here, Mr. Garou. You'll love it!

Speed O'Sound Sonic looked at them all in disbelief. Death was a certainty if they stayed here.

But then, as Chaos's monsters thundered toward them...then he looked at himself, into his own soul. Was life, simply drawing breath, all that mattered? The others, those from Lord Ainz's realm, had their own reasons, but what about him?

He remembered Flashy Flash, his kinsman, and what these same monsters had done to him. He remembered how he had died.

Was life all there was?

No. Above and beyond life, there was honor.

He positioned himself alongside Garou and Genos, readying what pitiful few weapons he'd managed to scrounge. "I'm staying."

Garou shot him a sideways glance, coupled with a smile. "Glad to have you onboard." Sarah? You suppose there might be room over there for a couple others?

Of course, Mr. Garou. Bring as many as you like!

And so, that day, did Entoma, Lupisregina, Demiurge, Zombina, Manako, Doppel, Kuroko Smith, Tionishia, Genos, Silver Fang, Garou, Speed O' Sound Sonic, DoS, and the rest pass from this life into the role call of heroes.

…

The staging area: "Oh, come now, child. You knew it would come to this, sooner or later.

"Get behind me, Kaneki!" And Touka pushed in front of him. He tried to push her out of the way, but she dug in her heels. Touka was a strong little thing. "It's you she wants! Get into the portal! Now!" She extended her kagune and fired off a barrage of missiles, all of which bounced off Rize's shields.

Rize put her hands on her hips. "Kirishima," she said in a voice that could have chilled water. "At our last meeting, I told you that, if you ever came between my son and me, that I'd make you regret it. And here you are, literally coming between us. Very well. I keep my promises."

"Touka, get behind—*"

"That what you want? Well, let me help you out there." And the Uplifted ghoul encased Touka in a forcefield, shoving her—gently enough, Kaneki thought—to one side. "Now. As I was saying, I keep my promises. Oh, and if you're waiting for Kimihito to come back, well, let's just say he's being detained. Harmlessly," she added, when she saw their looks. She shrugged. "It's none of my doing.

"But let's get started, shall we? I promised you torment beyond anything you can imagine.

"I shall deliver on that."

"Don't hurt her! I'll, I'll do whatever you say!" From within her forceglobe, Touka looked both outraged and fearful simultaneously. What brought this on? She was supposed to protect him, not vice-versa.

"Three days too late for that. As I said, I did make a promise. Oh, I won't lay a finger, or kagune, on her. So don't worry there." She turned to Kaneki, facing him fully, hands on her hips, her own kagune spread out, snake-like, behind her. For some reason, Kaneki was reminded of the old Greek legend of the Medusa, the Gorgon whose gaze turned men to stone. But he faced her resolutely.

"Just as long as you don't harm her…" From within her fore-shell, Touka was pounding fruitlessly on the inside.

Rize glanced her way. "She's got spirit, I'll give her that. But now," and here she floated over to Kaneki, coming to within a few yards of him. Hands on her hips again. "Kaneki. I'm embarking on a trip such as you cannot imagine. I'm headed for the upper levels of god-hood. I don't mind telling you, it's a little scary.

"I'd like you to come with me."

"Uuuh….what?" Of all the things he expected her to say, that wasn't it.

"I want you to come with me, my son. No, don't bother denying it; it was my organs that made you what you are. That's actually a more intimate relationship than simple ordinary birth.

"And look at what you've become! So strong! What were you before? A mediocre student, barely getting by. My...contribution put you in danger, it's true, but it also made you so much more than you ever were or ever could have been before.

"Think about it. When you were being tortured by that beast, Jason, who was it came to your aid? Was it your mother? No. It was me. Something of me, something of my soul, my essence, came to your aid when you needed it the most. I gave you the strength to give that monster as good as he got, and then some. It was me...inside of you.

"And all that's happened since then…" Here, she paused, as if to breathe, and glanced at Touka, who was still mouthing no! No! Don't listen to her! It's a trap!

Ken!

"No trap, just the truth. Come now. Don't you want to see what it's like to be a god? Who wouldn't?

"And I'll sweeten the pot." Here she extended her hand, palm up. An image formed over it.

It was the image of a little girl, seemingly about six or so. She was dirty, disheveled, and hiding beneath a concrete overhang, a man-made cave, holding onto some sort of stuffed animal. She seemed to be crying, weeping non-stop. "This is Mai Yamado. Her parents were killed by the CCG just before my love rescued me. She escaped, and has been on the run ever since.

"She needs you, Kaneki. She needs a big brother, the big brother only you can be.

"Now here's the deal," she said, her gaze hardening as she once again glanced at Touka, whose face was very pale. She drifted over to within arms' length of Kaneki. "I love you, Ken Kaneki. I love you as a mother loves her son, for in all the ways that matter, you are my son. And I'd like you to come with me. You, too, can be Uplifted, even as I was. Even as I am already being.

"You call Chaos evil. Well, that's your choice. I guess you can't be blamed for it; all you've seen is the bad. You haven't seen the sundered, broken worlds he's literally pieced back together, air, water, and food teleported in from the farthest points of the galaxy.

"You call those creatures back there, evil, monsters? But no. Each and every one is a person, an individual, who's pledged both body and soul to the one who saved their lives, their families, their worlds. How can they NOT see him as a god? What ELSE would you call him?"

Now she turned to Touka, still in the force-glob. "So here's my offer. Kirishima. Say the words I just said to Kaneki. Tell him how you really feel about him. Just say, 'I love you, Ken Kaneki, and I want you to stay with me.' You don't even have to mean them. Just say them. Say them, and I'll take Chaos' troops away from your world. All of them. We'll leave you in peace...such peace as you allow yourself.

"So just say the words. Say the words, save the world."

Touka had never known such emotional pain. It was what she wanted to say, true, but she'd lived by herself, feeling herself all alone all these years, that the words just wouldn't come out. "K-Ken, I…." But it was like the words just stuck in her throat. She couldn't force them out. Rize had been right; she'd have rather had a hundred kagunes ripped from her, been torn limb from limb, that go through this.

Say the words. Save the world.

And she found she couldn't.

Rize's expression was almost sympathetic. "You see?" she said to Kaneki. "She can't even say the words. How can she live them, if she can't even say them?"

And while Touka looked on in mute horror, Ken Kaneki did the one thing she'd hoped she'd never see him do, the one thing that hurt her the absolute worst.

He turned and looked at her, sorrowfully, it seemed. And then he turned away.

From her.

He approached Rize. "So...how do we...do this?"

"You only had to agree. I wasn't going to force you into this arrangement. As I said—*" And at that exact moment, she felt something crawling up her back.

The gods had gifted them with enhanced powers uniquely suited to their own abilities. Touka's was that her darts, even though separated from her, were still under her command.

And two of those X-shaped darts had found their way inside Rize's force-shield. With the quickness of a lizard, they climbed up her back...to her head...and stabbed her eyes out.

"You. Little. Bitch." Even though she'd progressed far beyond needed eyes to see, still Rize was human enough to take extreme displeasure with anything to do with her eyes. She could regenerate her eyes almost instantaneously, but just the idea, that this mortal animal had dared attack her, was enough. "I see I gave you too much leeway. Very well, Kirishima. I'll correct that, now." But now her new eyes were showing Kaneki placing himself between Touka and the Uplifted ghoul, an expression of determination on his face. His own kagune was fully deployed. "So. It was all a ruse, was it? Well, I suppose it's my own fault, partially. It would seem that love doesn't conquer all." She extended her hand towards Kaneki. "I'll just have to take back my gifts. Perhaps I can find someone more appreciative." And Kaneki felt the ghoul's power reaching inside him, pulling on his internal organs.

"World item: black lightning," came a voice from behind him, and a thunderous bolt of dark energy scorched through the air, zeroing in on the Uplifted ghoul. It wasn't enough to break through her shields, but she had to devote more power to maintaining them...power she'd previously been directing at Kaneki.

Behind them, in front of the portal, she could make out the form of the Supreme Wizard, the one called Ainz Ooal Gown. "So. Sorcerer. Decided to take a direct hand in matters?"

"I never planned it any other way."

Rize snarled. She didn't need these complications, not now. "You were a fool to come here alone."

"I did not."

"Dark press," said an unfamiliar voice on the other side of the rock. It emanated from what appeared to be a young man, with white hair, and what appeared to be two horns growing from opposite sides of his head. He had a ruby-tipped wand extended towards her.

No sooner had he said that, than Rize felt as though a mountain had fallen on her. Make that two mountains. A whole mountain range…ten mountain ranges...

Still, even that wasn't enough to stop her. Inch by inch, she pressed her way upward. "Did you think...your feeble magicks...would stop me?" In the back of her mind, she wondered about these two. They seemed to have been Uplifted themselves, although in a way she couldn't take the time to discern.

"No," replied Ainz Ooal Gown, "This was naught but distraction." And he broke another world item between his fingers.

Another portal opened between the Uplifted ghoul and her opponents. It was a teleportation portal, much like the one Touka and Kaneki had been working on, but different, somehow.

She barked a laugh, even as she shrugged off the immense pressure. "I suppose you expect me to just walk through that?"

"It was not meant for you." And with that, Lindsay stepped through the portal.

"No!" Rize might be stronger than all the assembled beings here, but she was not stronger than the god in green.

The battle was not long. Lindsay skillfully unwove Rize's force-shields, and began to envelop her in what appeared to be green crystal, moving from her feet to her head

Just before it reached her head, all assembled heard her say, "K-Kaneki. Know you this. C-call for me. Call for me...by name. A-and I, I will come to you. No matter what.

"I l-love you, my so—*" And the green crystal enveloped her head, shutting off any communications.

In addition to the crystal, Lindsay also wove a field of suspended time around Rize. No time would pass within.

"Bravo!" said an exultant voice off to one side. Ben had appeared out of nowhere, and was now clapping his hands. "Very well done, Lindsay!"

"Yes, well, now you show up. Where were you before? I—*" She stopped, looking deep into his eyes. "Ben! Chaos...he's inside of you!"

The totally unexpected TK bolt flung her back a full kilometer. "It took you that long to figure that out? Damn, but you're slow." Another bolt of power expanded in a circle, knocking all assembled down. "I kept telling you we were one and the same. What did you think I meant?"

"Ben! Fight him! Cast him out of you!"

"Oh, little chance of that," said what looked like the Ben she knew. "How can he cast out himself? Oh, and I should say, thank you for bringing all my foes—well, most of them, have to deal with Saitama later—it makes it so much easier."

But a voice within him spoke up. No. I won't let you hurt them.

You already have, boy. Four thousand years ago. Don't you remember? Oh, wait, that's right, you don't. Not yet, at least. Well, here, let me show you how it went down… And the figure raised a hand.

But nothing happened. You will not destroy them, said Ben. That is not what gods do.

So sure of yourself. You aren't even sure what a god is. How do you know what one would or would not do?

BECAUSE I AM ONE! And with every fiber of will within him, he who was known in the worlds of men and beyond as "Ben Sinclair" raised a hand to the starry heavens above….

….and punched a hole through probability itself, while simultaneously reasserting his own soul's dominance.

Nature abhors a vacuum. The essence that had been known as "Chaos" was drawn into the probability vacuum—straight into the very time stream he'd called home.

A portal opened in his fortress. It was as if a hypernova had exploded through it, wiping away all trace of his existence. The expanding energy caught the assembled hordes waiting to be deployed and erased them, too. Had anything of them survived, they would have been happy. At last, they were one with their God.

The scouring energy continued on down the infinite corridor. Within, that which had been Chaos mused on developments.

It actually hadn't gone all that bad. Ben was now accepting of his godhood. So, progress, there. Pity about Rize, but she was tough. She'd be alright.

For now.

Victory by increments, Ben.

….

The staging area: Ken had caught Touka, now freed from Rize's force-shield, in a bear hug. "I...I couldn't say the words," was all she could say.

"Shush," he said, curling a finger up under her chin and lifting her face to his. "How about we work on it together?" And he kissed her...a kiss she returned, surprising herself. I almost lost you.

"Ben?" He was flat on his back, and Lindsay was leaning over him. "Ben? Say something. Please!"

He thought for a minute. Then, "Ow."

She gathered him in her arms, while the others picked themselves up. That one little word had told her volumes. She had her Ben back. "Don't scare me like that!"

"How would you like me to scare you?"

"Excuse me," said Ainz Ooal Gown, "but there seems to be some unresolved matters." He gestured towards the crystal that now contained Rize. "Her, for one."

"Hm," mused Lindsay, "I don't think we can kill her. She's beyond mortal death."

"Then perhaps...something equally permanent?"

After seeing his ally, who'd called himself Diablo, the Demon Lord, off, Lord Ainz led them to what appeared to be a dropoff into empty space. "The Void between the worlds. Anything thrown in here…" he gestured, "...will be removed from all worlds forever. There will be no return."

Ben turned to Lindsay. "Good a place as any." And with that, he levitated the crystal block, and hurled it into the Void. It tumbled over and over until it was out of both mortal and immortal sight. "There. One more problem solved. She'll be forever between worlds. That is, unless Chaos comes for her." He looked downcast. "Or I do."

Lindsay came up to him, with the others around her. She faced him squarely. "Ben. You know you are my best friend. I will never leave your side. If you should ever need me, all you have to do is call. Call and I will come to you." She caressed the side of his cheek, tenderly. "But if you should stumble...if you should fall into darkness," her face hardened, "then I will come for you."

The being known as Ben Sinclair thought about this. He/Chaos had caught Lindsay off guard, earlier. But Lindsay was nearly his equal in terms of power, and vastly more experienced and intelligent, having the entire hive-mind of the vanished triclops race inside her skull. There wasn't much doubt, in his mind, how such a battle would go. He reached up and took her hand, the same one she'd stroked his face with. Kissed it. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"But now," she said, "we've a world to return to its normal space."

Back on the shattered Earth. "We'll be at this for thousands of years," groaned Kimihito. He'd returned from Lord Ainz's realm. Ben noticed he was giving Rachnee and Centorea some hard looks. ("Well," he overheard Rachnee saying, "weren't you the very one who told us, ordered us, even, to find Papi a good husband?" Kimihito just glared at them. "I didn't mean, me.")

"It won't take you that long, Kimihito. Lindsay?" She joined hands with him "Time fold."

And time… reversed itself.

Those that had died, during the the invasion, popped back into existence. Buildings—many of them, reassembled themselves like a time-lapse video in reverse. "See? Whad I tell ya?" grinned Garou. "Cavalry arrived just in time."

"You don't have to be so smug about it," huffed Speed O' Sound Sonic.

"Hey, if I can't be smug about winning, what can I be smug about?"

Kimihito approached the two gods. "You guys…'thanks' isn't nearly enough, but it's all we've got. We'll never forget you."

Lindsay came up to him. He was only a few inches taller than she was. She placed her hand on his chest. "Kimihito...you'll never know how much it pains me to say this, but….yes, you will."

And suddenly Kimihito found himself facing an empty space. Had he been talking to someone? But who? The others were looking around as well. What had just happened?

From behind a dimensional wall: Ben and Lindsay watched them mill about. "Sure was a good thing you guys found that alien armory. We'd never had had a chance without it," said Kuroko Smith.

"Yeah...alien armory," murmured Kimihito. But he sounded unsure.

Lindsay saw Ben's sorrowful expression. "Ben. You know there was no other way."

He sighed. "I...guess. It's just I...I feel like we've lost some good friends today."

Again, she came up to him, took his hands in hers. "Ben. You know this isn't over. There will be others who'll join up with us—gods, demigods, demons, angels, superhumans and plain mortals.

"But not these. They have their own story to tell, to live. We need to let them live it."

"I know you're right, Lindsay. I...just have my own wishes."

Again she caressed his cheek. "I know you do, Ben. But trust me: it's better this way."

Again he kissed her hand. "I'll always trust you."

"You'd better!" She pulled back a bit, a mischievous expression on her face. "Now, how about we return home to Olympus? I'll bet Jan has something good cooked for us. Maybe lasagna." She knew how much he loved Jan's lasagna.

He brightened a bit. "Sounds good to me."

The End.

…

Epilogue One:

Back at the fortress Kimihito's household had become, Kimihito stood on the balcony, gazing up at the night sky. His expression was...peculiar.

You might make the others forget, he thought, but I won't. And I'll be waiting for you, though it take a thousand years or more.

"Darling," said a most welcome voice from within, "come to bed. I'm cold."

"On my way, Miia."

Twenty years ago, something had come down from beyond the stars and left something of itself in humanity.

Kimihito Kurusu.

…

Epilogue Two:

Within the Void between the worlds: something drifted. Something that didn't belong.

The crystal itself was impenetrable, invulnerable to anything men or gods knew. Plus it was encased in a time-stasis field, so no time could pass within it. So it was clearly impossible for the figure encased within to crack open her eyes—eyes that now shown with a golden light. It was impossible for thought to transpire within the overlapping fields...yet that happened. Just call to me, my son. I will come to you. Though hell itself should bar the way.

I love you, my son.

…

Epilogue Three:

Both a heartbeat and an eternity away: Mai Yamado was convinced she'd never stop crying. Or being afraid.

Suddenly, she sensed a presence at the opening of the overhang where she'd determined to bed down for another sleepless night. "Mai? Mai Yamado?"

She didn't dare answer. Though only six, she knew to be afraid of both humans and ghouls.

"Come on, Mai. It's alright. I'm a friend." And she could make out a tall, white-haired man dressed in a black top and white pants. She noticed he only had one ghoul-eye, though. This did nothing to relieve her concern, and she backed up further.

"It's alright, Mai. I'm Ken Kaneki. I'm your big brother. I won't hurt you. And I won't let anyone hurt you." So reassuring were his words, that all the pain, all the fear, all the heartache in her unraveled like a loose knot. She practically ran into his arms. "There, there. It's okay now. Everything's alright.

"You've got a new family. Here. Let me introduce you." And he carried her out into the gathering dusk.

Waiting outside was a tall, strongly-built man who reminded her of weight-lifters she'd seen, or pro wrestlers. He was dressed in a red oversuit and exuded an aura of power unlike any she'd ever imagined. The sort of power she imagined a god might exude.

Standing beside him was the loveliest woman she'd ever seen, dressed in a white frilly dress with purple fringes. "Welcome, Mai. Glad to have you with us."

"Mai?" said the man holding her, "This is father, and this is mother. Your new father and mother, I mean. And I'm Ken Kaneki, your new big brother. We're gods. And we're here to take care of you.

"Now, we'll be leaving this world—*"

"Wait! Yoshino, my, my friend. I, I left her in…" and she gestured back to the man-made cave she'd just come from.

"Oh, well, we certainly won't leave her behind! Uh, father? Would you—*"

"Of course, son. Go on and get her friend." And the man in red took her in his arms. "Good God, child, you reek! Guess it's been a while since you had a bath, huh?" She nodded, too embarrassed to say anything. Would they send her away because she smelled bad?

"Tell you what. This time, it's on me. But from here on out, personal hygiene is your own lookout, 'kay?" And he passed his hand over her...and suddenly Mai felt like she'd had a hundred baths. Even her hair was brushed and perfectly coiffed.

"Here you go, Mai." said the man in black and white. He was holding out her battered teddy bear. She eagerly took it; it had been her only friend. Until now.

Looking at the three of them, she could sense their power...and their love. It was like it radiated from them, as though both were too much to be contained within the bodies she saw. They truly loved her. And she knew that, as long as she was with them, she need never fear anything ever again.

After all this time, after all this fear, she was home.

"Come on, Rize, Ken. Let's go home."

But as he was opening a portal, Rize went up to Ken. "Ken...I know you probably won't believe this...but I'm truly sorry about...about what happened with Touka." She paused. "Maybe...maybe we could go back in time…"

But he only smiled, sadly. She hated to see that kind of smile on his face. "It's...it's alright, mom. I guess….I guess not even gods can foresee everything.

"And, and maybe...maybe some things just need to happen."

"Coming, everyone?" Chaos, still holding Mai, was standing at the entrance to the portal to the timestream.

"Yes, father. On our way."

Every ending is a beginning.